Heavy rains in Elgeyo Marakwet County have triggered deadly mudslides, leaving several people feared dead and many others injured.
The disaster has primarily affected Korou Sub-Location, with the worst-hit areas being Kakibigen and Morror, where at least two fatalities have been confirmed. Homes have been swept away, forcing residents to flee for safety as rescue operations continue.
The landslides occurred overnight after persistent downpours, which have been battering the region for several hours.
Local residents reported hearing rumbling noises before torrents of mud and debris cascaded down the hillsides, engulfing houses and farmlands. Many people remain unaccounted for, raising fears that others may still be trapped under the debris.
Rescue efforts are underway, with teams from the Kenya Red Cross, county government, and local police working together to provide emergency aid.
The Red Cross confirmed that it has mobilized its response team to the affected areas to assess the damage and support those impacted.
"A landslide following heavy overnight rains has hit Moror Village and Chesongoch Centre, Elgeyo Marakwet County, leaving many people injured," the organization stated on Saturday.
Residents in the affected communities have been evacuated to safer locations as authorities try to prevent further casualties. Many survivors have expressed shock at the suddenness of the disaster, with some losing their entire homes and belongings in minutes.
The situation has left the county on high alert as more heavy rains are forecasted, prompting authorities to urge residents living along steep escarpments to relocate immediately.
Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisley Rotich has called for heightened vigilance and swift action, emphasizing that communities in high-risk zones must move to safe areas to avoid additional deaths.
He also pledged support for relief efforts and urged residents to cooperate with rescue teams during the ongoing emergency response.
The county government has established temporary shelters for those displaced, providing food, water, and medical care. Teams continue to monitor the situation closely as they search for survivors and assess the full extent of the damage.
With the rains expected to continue, authorities are warning that more mudslides could occur, underscoring the urgent need for preparedness and caution among residents in vulnerable areas.
